A & F Board meets with three departments

SWANSEA — The library trustees, Board of Assessors and treasurer/ collector presented budgets to the Advisory and Finance Board this past Wednesday evening at the Police Headquarters community room in preparation for the annual Town Meeting in May.

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By BILL HALL

southcoasttoday.com

By BILL HALL

Posted Mar. 27, 2013 at 12:06 PM

By BILL HALL

Posted Mar. 27, 2013 at 12:06 PM

» Social News

SWANSEA — The library trustees, Board of Assessors and treasurer/ collector presented budgets to the Advisory and Finance Board this past Wednesday evening at the Police Headquarters community room in preparation for the annual Town Meeting in May.

Treasurer/Collector Elizabeth Leonardo brought in a budget with a 1.39 percent increase from $162,849 last year to $168,098 this year. Also the requested increase was in the salary end, representing a two percent increase. There was a slight decrease in longevity after the retirement of a long time employee this past year.

Ms. Leonardo noted that the expenses were steady, mainly due to multi-year contracts with vendors.

There was discussion about increasing fees for those who do not pay bills on time. Ms. Leonardo noted that there are approximately 16,000 excise bills out there and roughly 8,000 had been returned. They are due March 27. The town currently has a $5 "demand" fee on late taxes.

There is a 14 percent interest on property taxes and 12 percent on excise.

Ms. Leonardo noted that, although the demand fee can go to $30, she "did not have the heart to do that" on top of the interest that would be owed. She had noted how some people are struggling.

Ms. Leonardo also presented the debt information for the year. It showed a total of $912,584 being paid out during the year in principal and interest. That amount included $120,000 for the purchase of the Baker Farm using Community Preservation Funds.

Another $20,430 went towards the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust.

A municipal purpose loan of 2004 had $264,831 in payments that included $236,901 for the Fire Department ladder truck and radios and $27,930 for school renovations.

The largest loan payment was from 2010 for the new police station at $432,936 a year and the Senior/Community Center, $74,386.

The treasurer/collector also pointed out that the municipal lien certificates that come through property sales, remained at $25 where other communities have doubled that. She said her office is involved in approximately 600 a year.

The Board of Assessors came in with a budget that was $7,200 less than last year, based mostly in changes in the personnel where salaries came in at $101,210 and expenses at $64,299.

There were also articles for revaluation updates totaling $72,603 over a three-year period.

There was some question regarding the new central office administration. Board Chairman Wayne Gray and the principal assessor Stanley Nacewicz represented the Board of Assessors at the meeting.

The proposed budget includes $42,000 for the administrative assessor position and $55,210 in clerical salaries to be divided among a full time and part-time person. The administrative assessor position had $32,000 allocated and Mr. Nacewicz was brought on in a part-time capacity and the certified assessor. He holds a full time position with the Attleboro assessor's office. He would assist the person working to become the full time administrative assessor for Swansea.

The concern of the A & F Board members involved the maintenance costs that come after a revaluation year. The revaluation will be requested at $96,000 followed by updating that takes place during the year preceding the next revaluation that comes every three years.

The A & F Board noted that the money set aside for the maintenance has not always been used for it and that they have not been able to get a handle on why that happens.

Chairman Kitchin noted that he would like to have the funding isolated for the revaluation updates only.

The third budget under review on Wednesday was by the library trustees represented by Chairman Brian Lowney along with Trustee Susan McMullen and Library Director Cynthia St. Amour.

The three presented a budget request of $267,099, which was $22,736 over last year. Much of that increase was on salaries where there was a $15,401 increase. The increase included two percent for the staff with an additional request for the children's librarian.

It was pointed out that the current children's librarian has a master's degree but is paid $14,49 an hour. They were seeking a pay of $19 an hour for the position. It was noted that it was a 20 percent increase, however, the library representatives noted that the position was underpaid to begin with.

Ms. St. Amour also noted that the trustees are looking at a capital improvement plan that would include replacing computers on a three- year cycle. She noted that the library has 14 computers, most of which were donated. Those computers are now four to eight years old. The computers are used by staff and the public and get a lot of use.

A & F Board member Jay Ollerhead noted that he goes to the library with his children and sees people of all ages there, that it is a busy place.

Chairman Kitchin noted that the computer request could go on the warrant as a separate article since it is a capital item.